THE PAST
Marpi Point Field is a 410-acre area in the northern end of the island of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). It is what is known as a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS). This means that the property was once owned by, leased to, or otherwise possessed by the United States under the jurisdiction of the Department of War (DoW) and transferred prior to October 1986.

During World War II, after the capture of Saipan in July 1944, the military developed the northern end of Saipan primarily for the Naval Air Base (NAB) Marpi and ammunition storage for both the Army and the Navy. By June 1947, the Navy disestablished the NAB Marpi; however, much of the stored ordnance remained in open revetments. Munitions known or suspected in Marpi Point Field include 100-lb bombs, a range of high explosive (HE) ammunition from small caliber projectiles (25 to 155-mm) to large 5-inch HE, mortars; grenades, small-caliber rockets, and small arms ammunition (bullets).

In 1949, a series of major fires on Saipan triggered explosions at the ordnance storage area just south of Marpi Point Field. The explosions scattered residual munitions across northwestern Saipan. Initial ordnance removal and disposal efforts took place between 1949 and 1950. Several demolition sites were set up in and around Marpi Point Field to burn or detonate surplus and unserviceable ammunition that remained. These activities spread additional munitions, made some items more sensitive, and left significant munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) on the surface or just below it.

In October 1962, personnel from the Guam U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) detachment began addressing remaining unexploded ordnance in northern Saipan. The two-year effort cleared portions of the area, followed by a final Navy clearance effort in 1967. Broader clearance work was limited by personnel and equipment constraints associated with the Korean War.

In March 1963, Marpi Point Field was transferred back to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Saipan District.

THE PRESENT

The land comprising the former Marpi Point Field is currently owned and managed by the CNMI Department of Public Lands (DPL). Access is limited to much of the project site by cattle fencing, vegetation, and lack of viable roads/paths. Several small, undeveloped parcels along the primary perimeter road are privately owned with limited leases for cattle grazing.

THE WORK

USACE is committed to remediating FUDS-eligible properties like Marpi Point Field on behalf of the DoW and in accordance with mandated processes and requirements. USACE Honolulu District executes the program in CNMI on behalf of the Army and DoW, and in close coordination with the lead regulatory agency, CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ).

Following the 1995 eligibility determination, USACE completed a series of environmental investigations to evaluate risks at Marpi Point Field and identify the preferred cleanup approach.

USACE is committed to keeping the public informed about this important project and why it's being conducted. Updates and public engagement opportunities will be shared through local/social media outlets and this project webpage in coordination with the lead regulatory agency, the CNMI Bureau of Environmental & Coastal Quality (BECQ). A schedule for any future on-site work will be made public once the plans are approved.

We continue to prioritize educating the community about this enduring environmental mission and improving public understanding about the processes involved in cleaning up potential contamination or munitions that may remain on properties from past DOW activities.

If you have questions about the former Marpi Point Field FUDS project, you can contact USACE by email at HonoluluDistrictFUDSInfo@usace.army.mil.

The 3Rs (Recognize, Retreat, Report) of Explosives Safety Program provides education and training at schools, community events, and organizational briefings to inform the public of the hazards of potential munitions using the guidance of the 3Rs Outreach Program. This training is also available from USACE upon request for private/non-profit organizations, and government agencies.  Your safety is the top priority. If you encounter something that might be an old munition, please remember the 3Rs of Explosives Safety:

RECOGNIZE: Recognizing when you may have encountered a munition is key to reducing the risk of injury or death. If you encounter or suspect you may have encountered a munition, consider it extremely dangerous. Remember, munitions are sometimes hard to identify.

RETREAT: If you encounter or suspect you may have encountered a munition, do not approach, touch, move or disturb it, but immediately and carefully - do not run - leave the area following the same path on which you entered. If you can, mark the general area, not the munition, in some manner (e.g., with a hat, piece of cloth, or tying a piece of plastic to a tree branch).

REPORT: When you think you may have encountered a munition, notify local law enforcement-call 911.
First Responders should contact the U.S. Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) if a UXO is encountered or reported.